Optimization of network function profile administration and registration

1. An apparatus of a network repository function entity, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least perform the following:

receive from a control entity, network entity profile template information, and

store said network entity profile template information, wherein

said network entity profile template information comprises a network entity profile template including an identifier of said network entity profile template and a profile content of said network entity profile template, said profile content including at least one profile attribute, and

receive, from a network entity, a network entity registration request comprising said identifier of said network entity profile template and a network entity specific attribute, and the apparatus further configured to:

generate a network entity profile for said network entity based on said at least one profile attribute in response to the network entity registration request to enable an efficient provision, storage and exchange of network function profile information by the at least one memory of the apparatus;

if said at least one profile attribute includes said network entity specific attribute, replace, in said network entity profile, a value of said network entity specific attribute included in said at least one profile attribute by a value of said network entity specific attribute included in said network entity registration request, and

if said at least one profile attribute does not include said network entity specific attribute, add, to said network entity profile, said network entity specific attribute included in said network entity registration request.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further configured to

receive, from said network entity, a network entity registration update including a network entity specific attribute, and

replace, in said network entity profile, if said at least one profile attribute includes said network entity specific attribute, a value of said network entity specific attribute included in said at least one profile attribute by a value of said network entity specific attribute included in said network entity registration update, and

add, to said network entity profile, if said at least one profile attribute does not include said network entity specific attribute, said network entity specific attribute included in said network entity registration update.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , further configured to

transmit, towards said network entity, attributes error information indicating that said network entity specific attribute is not applicable with said network entity profile template, and

transmit, towards said network entity, network entity profile template identifier error information indicating that said identifier included in said network entity registration request is unknown.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further configured to:

transmit towards said network entity, said network entity profile generated for said network entity.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further configured to

receive from said network entity, an inquiry with respect to features supported by said network repository function entity, and

transmit towards said network entity, information indicative of that network entity profile templates are supported by said network repository function entity.

6. An apparatus of a network entity, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least perform the following:

transmit, towards a network repository function entity, a network entity registration request comprising an identifier of a network entity profile template and a network entity specific attribute;

receive, from said network repository function entity, a network entity profile generated for said network entity and to receive error information indicating that said network entity specific attribute is not applicable with said network entity profile template; and

receive, from a control entity, a network entity profile configuration,

wherein said network entity profile configuration comprises said identifier of said network entity profile template and information on network entity specific changes to said network entity profile template, and

said network entity specific attribute is based on said network entity specific changes to said network entity profile template.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , further configured to

receive, from said network repository function entity, network entity profile template identifier error information indicating that said identifier included in said network entity registration request is unknown.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 , further configured to

transmit, towards said network repository function entity, an inquiry with respect to features supported by said network repository function entity, and

receive, from said network repository function entity, information indicative of that network entity profile templates are supported by said network repository function entity.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said network entity is a network function entity or a service communication proxy entity.